Herman Drenth Obituary

DRENTH
Herman, 84, of Elmwood Park passed away on July 24, 2013.
Born and raised in Paramus, Mr. Drenth lived in Elmwood Park for the past forty years. Prior to retiring, he had been employed in Insurance Sales with Mutual of New York, formerly in Hackensack. Mr. Drenth was a Veteran of the United States Army Air Corps. He was a member and Past-President for many years of both the Dumont Chess Club and the East Jersey Trout Unlimited, was active in conservation of the Ramapo River by both helping to clean the river as well as plant trees along the banks and loved fishing, fly-fishing and golf but one of his greatest pleasures was raising funds to provide chess sets to veteran hospitals, of which he helped donate many.
Mr. Drenth was predeceased by his daughter, Karen, and by his brothers and sisters. He was also predeceased by his stepson James Lisi and stepdaughter Denise Rothwell.
He is survived by his beloved wife of forty-five years, Marilyn (nee Greene) of Elmwood Park, whom he was deeply devoted to and cared for with all he had within. He is survived by his stepson, Edward Lisi, of Clifton as well.
Funeral services will be Monday 10:30 AM at the Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Interment to follow at Cresthaven Memorial Park, Clifton. Visiting Saturday 2-6pm and Sunday 2-6 PM. Please visit www.bizub.com for driving directions and online condolences.

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Published by The Record/Herald News on Jul. 26, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Herman Drenth

7 Entries

David Cole

August 22, 2013

What Mr. Drenth was well known for was initiating the program of "Sets for Vets" and he would be unselfish of his time by visiting the various Veterans homes throughout the state of NJ to promote the game of chess to our Veterans who had served our country honorably, and to give them a "pen pal" in Mr. Drenth to help with dealing with life after the various wars. "Sets for Vets" would eventually become a National program under the US Chess Federation.

Mr. Drenth also spearheaded the forming of the Bergen County Chess Council which not only comprised the Dumont Chess Mates, but also included the other Bergen County Clubs, including the Westwood Chess Club, The Washington Township Chess Club, The Hillsdale/Montvale Chess Club, and the Ridgefield Park Chess Club, and later, The Rutherford Chess Club in Southern Bergen County. The idea was to give the Bergen County chess players the opportunity to play chess every single night of the week at these various chess clubs, and Mr. Drenth was the driving force behind this to give kids like me opportunities to visit the different clubs. I can also remember Mr. Drenth's vision of putting together the Bergen County Chess Council Picnics where all of us would converge in one of the Bergen County Parks to play softball, volleyball, speed chess, scrabble, and other fun activities, where the chess players and their families could enjoy an outdoor barbecue, while the families could socialize in a totally relaxed setting.

I last spoke with Mr. Drenth a few months ago, and again thanked him for coming up with "Sets for Vets" and explained to him the idea that I have had regarding chess and Alzheimer's Disease, and Mr. Drenth was nothing but encouraging to pursue this avenue, and see where it may lead.

Thank you Mr. Drenth for being such a visionary in the marketing of the game that we all love, and you will not only be missed here in NJ, but all throughout the Chess World.

RIP Herman Drenth, you will be missed by many, and thanks for that draw".

Roy Greenberg

July 29, 2013

Herman had nearly two decades of distinguished service as President of the Dumont Chess Mates. I was privileged to serve five of those years with him as a member of the DCM Board, where his dedication, effective leadership, spirit of conciliation and good nature benefited hundreds of members.

And..at a 1980s picnic, we discovered he was a rather good southpaw softball pitcher!

Glenn Petersen

July 27, 2013

Herman touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of chess players throughout the country, as Chairman of National Chess Day, through his Sets for Vets program, and as president of the New Jersey State Chess Federation. He will be missed by all.

Jennifer Haak

July 27, 2013

Im sorry to hear that Uncle Herman has passed. I have heard such wonderful stories about him. Much love to you at this difficult time.

Sten & Maggie Wisse & Family

July 26, 2013

Our deepest sympathy to you, Marilyn & Ed. Herm was one of the good ones. He will certainly be missed.

July 26, 2013

Mrs. Drenth and Ed,
We are very sorry to hear of Herman's passing. We always enjoyed his company and conversation at your BBQs.
With our deepest sympathy
John & Dolores Rebecky

July 26, 2013

Mrs. Drenth and Ed,
We are very sorry to hear of Herman's passing. We always enjoyed his company and conversation at your BBQs.
With our deepest sympathy
John and Dolores Rebecky

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